Lan Ha Bay Full-Day Cruise – Ultimate Kayaking, Hidden Lagoons & Secluded Beaches
Discover the Best of Lan Ha Bay in One Unforgettable Day
Kayaking | Hidden Lagoons | Swimming | Guided and supported
Escape the crowds and discover why Lan Ha Bay is considered one of Vietnam’s best kayaking destinations. This full-day adventure combines a traditional wooden boat cruise, guided sea kayaking, hidden lagoons, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear swimming in the quieter side of the famous Ha Long Bay Archipelago.
Home to over 400 limestone islands and more than 130 secluded beaches, Lan Ha Bay offers a spectacular landscape of towering karst cliffs, emerald waters, secret caves, and untouched lagoons that remain inaccessible to larger cruise boats. Led by experienced local guides, you’ll paddle through ancient sea caves, explore hidden saltwater lagoons, visit traditional floating fishing villages, and swim from beautiful white-sand beaches far away from the busy tourist routes.
Whether you’re an experienced paddler or trying kayaking for the first time, this tour offers the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and authentic local culture, making it one of the most popular day trips from Cat Ba Island.
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Tour Price
Group Tour Price:
Group of 2 people: $130/person
Group of 3 people: $90/person
Group of 4-6 people: $85/person
Group of 7-10 people: $75/person
Kayaking Adventure Itiniary
Full-Day Itinerary
08:00 | Hotel Pick-up – Cat Ba Town
Your day begins with a convenient hotel pick-up from your accommodation in Cat Ba Town. After a short transfer to Ben Beo Harbour, you’ll meet your guide and board our traditional wooden boat, ready to explore one of Vietnam’s most spectacular coastal landscapes.
08:30 | Cruise Through Lan Ha Bay & Cai Beo Floating Village
Set sail into the calm emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay, cruising past the ancient Cai Beo Floating Fishing Village, one of the oldest floating communities in Vietnam. Watch local fishermen tending their fish farms as towering limestone islands rise dramatically from the sea, creating one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.
09:30 | Kayaking the Dark Cave & Bat Cave
Arriving at the beautiful Ang Van Tra area, your guide will provide a short kayaking safety briefing and basic paddling instruction before launching your adventure.
Paddle through peaceful waterways beneath towering limestone cliffs and, depending on the tide, venture through the famous Dark Cave and Bat Cave into a hidden lagoon surrounded by untouched rainforest. This tranquil natural sanctuary can only be reached by kayak and offers an unforgettable glimpse into the untouched beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
11:30 | Seafood Lunch & Swimming at Three Peaches Beach
Return to the boat and cruise towards the beautiful Three Peaches Beach (Ba Trai Dao), famous for its soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.
Enjoy a freshly prepared Vietnamese seafood lunch while anchored in this idyllic location before spending time swimming, relaxing on the beach, or simply soaking up the peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds.
13:30 | Hidden Lagoons, Tay Keo & Red Lady Cave
The adventure continues with another kayaking session into the quieter corners of Lan Ha Bay.
Explore the peaceful waters of Tay Keo Lagoon, weaving between floating fish farms and towering limestone cliffs before, tide permitting, paddling into the remarkable Ba Do Cave (Red Lady Cave). Along the way, discover hidden beaches, secluded coves, and untouched lagoons that few visitors ever experience.
This afternoon offers some of the most rewarding kayaking in the bay, with plenty of opportunities to swim, take photographs, and enjoy the spectacular natural scenery.
16:00 | Relaxing Cruise Back Through Lan Ha Bay
Return to the boat and enjoy a leisurely cruise back towards Ben Beo Harbour. Stretch out on the sundeck with a cold drink and admire the late afternoon light as it transforms the limestone islands into one of Vietnam’s most beautiful seascapes.
17:00 | Return to Cat Ba Town
Arrive back at Ben Beo Harbour where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cat Ba Town.
Your full-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking adventure comes to an end, leaving you with unforgettable memories of hidden lagoons, dramatic limestone landscapes, pristine beaches, and one of Vietnam’s most spectacular coastal wildernesses.
Meals: Fresh Vietnamese seafood lunch
Notes:
– Earlier or Later departure and return are available upon request.
– Minimum group size: 2 people.Maximum group size: 10 people. Please get in touch with us for larger group bookings; we may be able to offer a discount.
What's Included on Tour
- Hotel transfers within Cat Ba Town
- Traditional wooden boat cruise
- Professional English-speaking guide
- High-quality kayaking equipment
- Safety briefing and instruction
- Entrance fees
- Fresh seafood lunch
- Drinking water
Tour Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Vietnam visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Laundry
- Tips
Make a Booking
Payment must be made in full before departure, Please make booking 24 hours in advance, we reserve the right to cancel kayak tours based on weather conditions. Please see our terms and conditions for full details.
Full Day Cruising-Kayaking-Snorkeling Tour FAQ
While geographically part of the same stunning limestone karst ecosystem, Lan Ha Bay is significantly quieter and less crowded than neighboring Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha Bay features more pristine, secluded sand beaches and hidden lagoons accessible only by kayak. Because it sees far fewer massive cruise ships, it offers a cleaner, much more authentic, and peaceful kayaking adventure away from the tourist crowds.
Yes! Solo travelers are very welcome on our 1-day tours. Our trips are highly social small-group experiences, making it easy to meet fellow adventurers. For kayaking, we use stable tandem (double) kayaks, meaning you will pair up with our guide or another traveler from the group.
To secure your booking, we require full payment or a deposit in advance. We accept secure online card payments, PayPal, and bank transfers. Any remaining balances can be settled at our main office near Ben Beo Pier before departure using cash (VND or USD) or major credit cards. Please note that according to our policy, payment must be made in full before departure to finalize your booking manifest.
Our 1-day guided tour is designed for thorough exploration, involving roughly 1.5 to 3 hours of active paddling, depending on the group’s pace. We make sure there is plenty of time to explore hidden lagoons, pass through limestone arches, and take relaxing swimming breaks on secluded beaches.
While you do not need to be an elite athlete, our day tour is geared toward travelers who enjoy an active lifestyle. If you have a basic level of stamina and can comfortably paddle at a relaxed pace, you will fully enjoy this day out on the water. Our professional guides are always there to set an enjoyable pace for everyone.
We recommend packing light for your day on the bay. Essential items include: quick-dry clothing, swimwear, sandals or water shoes, a hat, sunglasses with a strap, and high-SPF sunscreen. Don’t forget your passport or a clear photo of it on your phone (required by port authorities for registration). We provide a high-quality Dry Bag on every kayak for your personal daily items.
We provide complimentary pickup and drop-off directly from your hotel or accommodation located within Cat Ba Town. If you are staying outside the main town area, please contact us so we can arrange a convenient central meeting point or coordinate your transfer to our main office at Ben Beo Pier.
You will find stable 4G mobile coverage while we are close to the Cat Ba mainland and passing near the local floating villages. However, as we paddle deeper into the secluded lagoons and behind massive limestone cliffs, cellular signals can become limited or cut out completely, giving you a wonderful opportunity to disconnect and enjoy nature.
We provide all necessary premium safety and activity gear. This includes high-quality ocean kayaks, lightweight paddles, mandatory life jackets (PFDs), and dry bags for your electronics. All entrance fees and boat transfer fees for Lan Ha Bay are also fully included.
Your safety is our absolute priority. We strictly monitor and follow government tourism guidelines and instructions issued by the Management Board of Lan Ha Bay. In the rare event of unsafe weather conditions (such as sudden tropical storms), tours may be delayed or cancelled by port authorities. If your tour is cancelled due to official weather directives, we will offer you an alternative date or a full refund.
Yes, absolutely! A fresh local lunch is included in our 1-day tour, and we regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and specific food allergy requests. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or food allergies when making your booking so our team can prepare your meal accordingly.
No, expert swimming skills are not required. Lan Ha Bay is highly sheltered, resulting in calm, glassy waters with minimal waves. Furthermore, wearing a high-quality life jacket (PFD) is strictly mandatory for all guests while on the water. Our professional local guides are fully trained in water safety and will be right beside you the entire time.
If you are arriving in Cat Ba for the day or checking out of your hotel before the tour, you are welcome to securely store your main luggage at our main office near Ben Beo Pier for free while you are out exploring the bay. You only need to bring your small daypack with essentials onto the boat.
